DUI Arrest Results In U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted CaptureRichard Vallee Wanted for Murdering a Government Witness

U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted fugitive
Richard VALLEE was arrested Thursday
night in Montreal, Canada, after years on the run.

A surveillance team spotted Vallee entering a massage parlor, and a heavily-armed
tactical team was put on alert. After exiting the establishment, Vallee's
identity was verified, he was confronted by law enforcement officers and
surrendered without resistance.

Vallee was wanted on charges stemming from the car-bombing murder of
Lee Carter on July 28, 1993 near Champlain, New York. Carter was a cooperating
witness for the government in a cocaine smuggling and criminal activities
case against Vallee and other members of his Hell's Angels outlaw motorcycle
gang chapter. It is alleged that Vallee built and placed the car bomb
which killed Carter. He was indicted in this case by the U.S. District
Court in Albany, New York in August 1996.

Ironically, Vallee had been arrested six days prior to his arrest on Thursday.

"The break we needed in this case occurred on Friday, April 11, when
a man who called himself Guy Turner was arrested by the Montreal, Canada
Police Department for driving under the influence," said U.S. Marshals
Senior Inspector Harry Layne. "A search incident to that arrest revealed
a quantity of cash and a handgun in Turner's vehicle. Turner was released
on bond, and later in the week his fingerprints were determined to be
a match for Vallee."

After this discovery, Canadian law enforcement officers mounted a massive
effort. Their team consisted of more than 100 officers, supported by members
of the U.S. Marshals, New York State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco and Firearms. This combined effort led to Vallee's arrest Thursday.

Vallee will appear in court in Montreal where it will be determined if
he will stand trial first in Canada on firearms and escape charges, or
be returned to the U.S. where, if convicted, he could receive a maximum
term of life without parole.

U.S. Marshals Service Director Benigno Reyna praised the cooperation and
dedicated police work of the Canadian authorities over the past five years,
which ultimately led to Vallee's capture. He also recognized the efforts
of the New York State Police, the ATF, and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security,
which contributed to a successful and safe apprehension.

Annually, U.S. Marshals arrest more than 50 percent of all Federal fugitives
and serve more Federal warrants than all other Federal law enforcement
agencies combined. Last year U.S. Marshals cleared 23,294 warrants on
fugitives wanted by state and local law enforcement authorities in addition
to 38,249 Federal fugitive warrants.